Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A,D,E and K

Question 1

Vitamin A

Answer 1

Rich source in liver, Crucial role in maintenance of good vision-particularly in low light

Question 2

Vitamin A forms

Answer 2

Retinol (supports reproduction), Retinal (vision), Retinoic acid (regulates growth), Beta-carotene (plant food- makes retinal), Retinyl esters (animal food-makes retinol)

Question 3

Unit of Measurement of Vitamin A

Answer 3

1 microgram of retinol = 1 Retinol activity equivalent (RAE)

12 microgram of beta-carotene = 1 microgram of retinol

Question 4

Other Vitamin A functions

Answer 4

Cell differentiation, Integrity of epithelial cells, Integrity of mucous membrane, Necessary for Tlymphocyte function and other immune function aspects, Supports normal growth

Question 5

RDA for Adult (19-50) Men/Women

Answer 5

Men: 900 microgram of retinol (3000 I.U), Women: 700 microgram of retinol (2333 I.U)

Question 6

Deficiency of Vitamin A Symptoms

Answer 6

Symptoms of deficiency include anorexia, retarded growth, increased susceptibility to infections, keratinization of epithelial cells of skin

Question 7

Vitamin A Deficiency and Blindness

Answer 7

Second leading cause of blindness, 250-500000 cases reported every year

Question 8

Toxicity of Vitamin A

Answer 8

Hypervitaminosis A causes symptoms such as anorexia, dry, itchy and desquamating skin, alopecia, ataxia, headache, bone and muscular pain, etc

Question 9

Rickets

Answer 9

Vitamin D Deficiency, Symtoms of bowed legs/knock knees, bowed chest, knobs on ribs (rachitic rosary)

Question 10

Osteomalacia

Answer 10

“Soft bones”, Vitamin D deficiency in adults, Most likely to occur in people with disease of the kidney, stomach, gallbladder, intestines and liver

Question 11

Vitamin D Intake Adults

Answer 11

10 microgram/day or 400 I.U.

Question 12

Food Sources of Vitamin D

Answer 12

Fatty fish (sardines and salmon), Foritifed milk, Fortified breakfast cereal

Question 13

Roles of Vitamin D

Answer 13

Prevention of fractures and delay of osteoporosis, Autoimmune diseases, Osteoarthritis and Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Schizophrenia and Depression, Lung function and Wheezing illnesses, Cancer prevention

Question 14

Vitamin E

Answer 14

Tocopherols, Antioxidant action

Question 15

Food Sources of Vitamin E

Answer 15

Vegetable oils, Seeds, Nuts

Question 16

Deficiency of Vitamin E

Answer 16

Rare, Diseases of fat malabsorption (cystic fibrosis) may be associated with deficiency; Premature, low-birth weight infants are susceptible

Question 17

Symptoms of Vitamin E

Answer 17

Erythrocyte hemolysis (premature infant), Muscle weakness, Degenerative neurologic problems, Incoordination of limbs

Question 18

Toxicity

Answer 18

Least toxic of all fat-soluble vitamins

Question 19

Benefits of Vitamin E

Answer 19

Protection against heart disease, Prevention of cancer, Prevention of Alzheimers disease

Question 20

Vitamin K Food Sources

Answer 20

Food sources: Milk, eggs, brussels, sprouts, collards, liver, cabbage, spinach and broccoli

Question 21

Vitamin K Non-Food Sources

Answer 21

Bacteria in gastrointestinal tract, Newborn infants with sterile gut, Vitamin K producing bacteria establish in weeks

Question 22

Deficiency of Vitamin K

Answer 22

Uncommon, Occurs in conditions with fat malabsorption, Hemorrhagic disease can occur in newborn infants with sterile gut

Question 23

Toxicity of Vitamin K in Infants

Answer 23

Hemolytic anemia, Hperbilirubinemia, Sever jaundice

Question 24

Phytochemicals

Answer 24

Cancer fighting products